It was midday on day two that detail on the news from Canary Wharf came in through their HAM radio system. It had been relayed by a suspected military link in their chain of outposts.

“It feels like we’ve been merged with another world, doesn’t it” Lara said to the group. “Entire areas of our world, gone and replaced either in pockets or across large areas at scale… entire towns and cities?!”

“At this point Lara, nothing is off the table and everything is possible” Maureen calculated.

Archie was over at the darts board testing out his new heightened aim, he was freakishly accurate now with his proficiency skill supporting him. He was delighted to see it extended to the handling of the darts themselves and wasn’t just his latte art pens. “If things ever get back to normal, I’m winning the darts championship” he declared proudly after scoring his tenth consecutive ‘one hundred and eighty’.

“If anything” Lara continued, rolling her eyes at Archie for the interruption. “…If anything it shows that we need to get stronger, and fast. Those Elven creatures are clearly stronger than anything on this planet. I mean… one Elf against a squad of over fifteen armed men!”

“It makes me wonder how you survived those wolves… or those trolls for what it’s worth” Bob chimed in

“If there was any order, or sense… to any of this” Archie interjected “you would imagine that high level creatures or areas would spawn together… but this is not the case. Wren and I were almost a stone’s throw away from that Elven town… yet the creature we faced was only marginally stronger than us”

“If you and Chris had not got your powers together, at the same time. We probably would all have died” Wren mused with an air of innocence.

“So do you think this was planned, or not” Lara asked inquisitively

“Hmmm… a hard one. Based on the alleged conversation with the Elves before it all went to shit. If I was a betting man, I would say that neither of us from each world made this happen. Maybe something even bigger and greater than we can imagine? Maybe god is real, I mean… nothing makes sense and the only insight we have into this other world, is them asking questions on why we brought them here”

“I would be inclined to agree with your theory young man. Quite the skills of deduction you have” Maureen said, signing off like Yoda with her last sentence to try and lighten the mood.

“Ha! I didn’t take you for a Star Wars fan Maureen” Lara chuckled, her lightly freckled face creasing with lines of laughter “who knows, maybe Jedi’s are real now”

“That would be awesome. If Jedis do actually exist and I’m a Thief… eurgh I would be so bloody mad”

“On that note” Maureen yawned, “I think I need a nap for a couple of hours, I’ve not pulled an all-nighter for many, many years. Lara could you keep a check on the monitors for me, my dear”

“Of course” she replied, placing her hand gently on Maureen’s shoulder. With that Maureen hobbled to the far corner where her bunk bed lay unused, gentle taps with her cane as she walked.

“I do worry” Bob whispered “something that powerful, so close to where we are. Maybe our secret haven isn’t as safe as I had hoped’ concern deeply etched across his normally jovial face.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“If anyone has a plan Bob, it’s Maureen. It’s a heavy load, leading a group and we will share that burden with you both Bob…. We are one united team” Lara said

“That’s right” Archie and Wren said together, nodding their heads.

“I honestly think the best bet is to stay here and learn more information from the other outposts” Lara added.

“I agree, but we also have to get out there and find out what’s going on around us and relay that information back to the network” Bob replied matter of factly.

“Fair point Bob” Lara replied. “I will stick my head out tomorrow, let’s follow Maureen’s plan”. With that, she stood and made her way to her post in the monitor room. A momentary awkward silence settled between Bob, Archie and Wren.

“Have either of you played Settlers of Catan?” Wren asked, quickly breaking the awkwardness between the three of them.

“No” Bob and Archie sounded off together.

“Great, I’ll teach you” Wren said, a grin breaking out across her face as she walked over to the book and games shelf to grab the box she’d seen earlier.

“First. We should make this place a little cosier. Poor Maureen is trying to sleep so lets dim the lights right down”

Wren turned out the main lights and instead turned on a series of lamps across the main oak table. They cast a warm light over the board that was now being set-up. After fifteen minutes of trying to explain the rules, Wren settled for a ‘play and learn’ approach with the two.

After a while, they were in a proper rhythm, all of their worries forgotten and complete focus was on the game in front of them. Bob had a mischievous glint in his eye as he strategically placed down new settlements. The three of them pretended and joked with each other at their dismay as access to key resources were blocked “noooo I need those sheep” Archie mocked through a hushed whisper, careful not to disturb Maureen.

“You know Bob. Considering you haven’t played, this board is pretty worn out” Wren called out, “are you being cheeky Mr. Bob?”

“Ah you got me” giggled Bob “I bloody love Catan” the room filled with laughter and silent giggles as they tried to control themselves whilst Maureen slept peacefully only fifty meters away. Comfortable silence settled between them, only interrupted by the rustle of cards and resources, or the occasional clink of game pieces and roads being laid across the board. Bob ended up taking a sweeping victory across the group against a valiant effort from Wren and a dismal first performance by Archie.

It was only a game, but it felt like the start of a true friendship between them. Wren had only known Archie as the kind man that served her coffee two days earlier, and Bob was a complete stranger. But in this moment, she felt closer to them than she had felt to anybody in a long time.

After a couple of hours, Maureen, as promised was back out of bed and at the monitors once more, Bob by her side to keep her company and discuss next steps. Meanwhile, Lara was putting Wren and Archie through their paces again.

“Two workouts in one day is too much” Archie said deflated “We won’t be able to move tomorrow”

“It’s not even a workout Archie, I’m just showing you… and showing you being the operative word here”

“I’m pretty sure I get it, pick up a heavy weight and then put it back down again”

“Okay hot shot. Copy this” Lara said “just the bar, no weights” as she slid off the 20kg plates. Quickly she snatched the barbell above her head and went into a deep squat before standing tall. With grace she placed the bar back down on the floor and skipped over to Archie, elbowing him in the ribs “go on then”.

“Wow. I mean… yeah ok. I don’t really know what to say” after a pause, he added “show being the operative word, take notes Wren it’s time for us to learn. I’ll eat the humble pie you’ve just served me Lara” With that, Lara resumed her instructive position and talked Wren and Archie through the various weight lifting movements they would be doing throughout their stay here.

By the end of it and a few practice runs, Archie and Wren’s nerves were no less settled. This was one heavy bar without the weights being added and throwing it above their heads was going to take a lot of practice.

“Also, quick question. If we’re doing all of this in here, it’s going to end up smelling pretty bloody bad, isn’t it?” Archie asked

“Yeah, the gym was kind of a late addition on my part, Bob and Maureen had a treadmill for keeping their legs moving. I’m hoping the air filtration system Bob has keeps on top of it, but we may be living in regret for a while. Let’s find out together”

“Gross” said Wren, beaming from ear to ear.